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| A Taiwanese embedded-computer vendor has announced a rugged, Linux-based
| computer equipped with a router and switch. The Korenix JetBox 9300 is based
| on an ARM9-based Atmel 180MHz RISC processor, and includes a five-port
| Ethernet router and a lightweight managed switch. Â*
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| Cisco Systems CEO John Chambers said on Wednesday his company was hit
| by "dramatic decreases" in orders from U.S. banks, triggering concerns about
| its growth prospects and sending its shares plunging. Â*
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| As part of 3Com's commitment to providing the platform and support for
| clients to implement best-of-breed Open Source solutions, the company also is
| launching the 3Com Asterisk Appliance, an Open Source voice-over-IP (VoIP)
| system based on Digium's Asterisk Appliance. Â*
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,----[ Quote ]
| And that open source voice over IP system, called Asterisk, has reached
| its tipping point. But instead of ignoring such threats, 3Com appears
| ready to embrace them. In fact, I hear that 3Com plans to address
| the Asterisk market within the next few months.
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,----[ Quote ]
| The manager politely danced around the question, then indicated that
| 3Com planned to address Asterisk without necessarily competing with
| the open source system. Sounds like 3Com is piecing together a
| strategy to embrace Asterisk. Could there be a partnership or
| acquisition around the corner?
|
| [...]
|
| Supporting Asterisk would propel 3Com?s open platform strategy
| forward.
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,----[ Quote ]
| 3Com's OSN module is a Linux-based server blade that fits into
| the company's 6000 series routers. It is designed to run
| applications that benefit from being close to the network
| layer, the company says.
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,----[ Quote ]
| Launched at the end of last year, OSN is basically an effort to bring
| some server capabilities into network appliances by using a
| Linux-based server blade, as well as to allow users to plug
| open-source modules into the appliance.
|
| [...]
|
| Interestingly, there is a twist in 3Com's adoption of open source:
| Its founder, Metcalfe, was once known to be anti-open source.
| Fortunately, Metcalfe has since become a convert in line with the OSN.
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,----[ Quote ]
| A more technically interesting solution that 3Com has just rolled out is a
| Linux blade running in its high end switches.
|
| "Imagine a switch or router with a little bit of extra hardware
| running Linux. We are inviting our partners to put their stuff on
| there, essentially a Linux PC on a blade. It's not about replacing
| servers, it's about putting an app into the network, like WAN
| optimization, packet analysis, netflow, security, things like
| this," he said.
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